The plants were seized in the Kaiwiki, Pepeekeo, Kaumana, Hakalau, Umauma, Lapahoehoe Point and Honokaa in the South Hilo, North Hilo and Hamakua Districts.

Thursday’s haul brings the total number of plants seized to 16,665 during the first three days of the operation.

Joining Big Island police in the eradication enforcement effort were personnel from the Maui and Honolulu police departments, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Hawaii Army National Guard and the State Department of Conservation and Resources Enforcement.

One person was arrested for promoting a detrimental drug and released pending further investigation. The suspect was identified as Richard Kauwe Jr., 48, of a Keaukaha address in Hilo. Kauwe was arrested after 115 marijuana plants, ranging in size from seedlings to 1 foot, were seized on his property.